Method of producing lipids by growing microorganisms of the order thraustochytriales

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium , and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium , and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. In an embodiment, lipids are produced by growing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales in a medium and extracting the lipids.

1. A process for producing lipids comprising:
 (a) growing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales in a fermentation medium; and 
 (b) extracting lipids from said microorganisms, 
 
       wherein said lipids have at least 94.0% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA). 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the C16:0 content of said lipids is less than about 40% of total fatty acids. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1 , wherein said lipids have at least 68% by weight of the total fatty acids as omega-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have at least 94.5% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA). 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have at least 95.0% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA). 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have at least 96.5% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA). 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have at least 97.5% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA). 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have at least 98.3% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA). 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein about 20% or less of the total fatty acids in said lipids are omega-6 fatty acids. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein at least about 49% of the total fatty acids of said lipids are omega-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in said lipids is about 7.07 or less. 
     
     
       12. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the ratio of EPA to DHA in said lipids is from about 1:1 to about 1:30. 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the ratio of DPA to DHA in said lipids is at least about 1:12. 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the total fatty acid composition in said lipids comprises about 5% or less of C20:4w6 fatty acid. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have a sterol content of at least about 0.1% ash-free dry weight. 
     
     
       16. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have a cholesterol content of at least about 15% of the total sterol content. 
     
     
       17. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have at least 7.8% by weight of total fatty acids as C20:5w3. 
     
     
       18. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said lipids have more than 25% by weight of total fatty acids as omega-6 fatty acids. 
     
     
       19. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said microorganisms are of the genus  Thraustochytrium  or the genus  Schizochytrium , or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       20. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said microorganisms are of the genus  Thraustochytrium.    
     
     
       21. The process of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein said microorganisms are of the genus  Schizochytrium.    
     
     
       22. A process for producing lipids comprising:
 (a) growing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales in a fermentation medium; and 
 (b) extracting lipids from said microorganisms, 
 
       wherein said lipids have at least 94.0% by weight of total omega-3 fatty acids as C22:6n-3 (DHA); wherein said lipids have at least 68% by weight of the total fatty acids as omega-3 fatty acids; and wherein the C16:0 content of said lipids is less than about 40% of total fatty acids.